Tractor truck



July 6,1926. 1,591,730

J. K. WICK TRACTOR TRUCK Filed August 20, 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR JOHN K. was/ J. K. WICK TRACTOR TRUCK Filed August 20 l 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

. IINVENTOR 70/177 M. W/GK Patented July 6, 1926.

rear carries JOHN K. 'WICK, OF OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA.

TRACTOR TRUCK.

Application filed August 20, 1923.

llfy invention is an improved tractor.

The object of my invention is to provide a tractor in which the forward ends of the tracks are movable vertically, with no tipping of the track.

Another object is to improve the supporting shoe on the lower reach of the track.

Further objects and advantages will be described in the following detailed explanation.

In the annexed drawing in which my in vention is illustrated.

Fig. 1 is a side view of my tractor.

Fig. 2 is a front view of the same.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 33 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 44 of Fig. 1. i

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 55 of Fig. 1.

Referring more particularly to the drawing: My tractor comprises a main frame 1 and track frames'22 positioned at either side thereof. Journaled at the rear end of the frames 2'2 are the drive sprockets 3, and at the forward end are journaled the idler sprockets,.over which the tread 4 is adapted to travel.

The sprockets 3 are secured to shafts 5 which are journalled in suitable bearings in the frames 1. and 2, and are driven in the usual manner for this type of tractor; thus the frames 2 are pivoted upon the shafts 5, as will be further described.

The frames 22 are supported at their forward ends upon a pair of bars 6 and 7, which are pivoted at their center upon pins 8 and 9 respectively. These pins are secured in a yoke 10 which is fastened to the frame 1 by the bar 11. Thebars 6 and 7 are each pivoted at their ends to the frames 2, and these bars are spaced a distance apart so that as they swing on the pins 8 and 9, the'ends of said bars will remain in a vertical line, thus the frames 22 are not tipped and the strains upon the tracks 4* and sprockets ,4, are thus reduced.-

The tread 4 is formed of a plurality of links 12, which are pivoted together, and in each of which a roller 13 is journalled. The rollers 13 have central rings 14c formed upon them, the purpose of which will be erial No. 658,282.

further described. The sprockets 3 and 4: are suitably slotted as at 15 to receive the rings 14.

Supporting brackets 16 are secured to the frames 22 and support the upper reach of the tread r.

Supporting shoes 17 are secured to the frames 2, the rear and forward ends of which extend to approximately the center line of the sprockets 3 and 4 respectively, thus supporting the entire lower reach of the tread t, and reducing the strain thereupon. The tread is thus supported throughout its entire length while in cont-act with the ground. The shoe 17 is formed in two parallel pieces and thus straddles the sprockets 3 and 4c. The ring it travels in the space between the two halves of the shoe 1'? and thus prevents the tread l from sliding oifof the said shoe.

A plurality of springs 18 are positioned between the shoes 17 and the frames 2, against which said shoe bears, thus forming a yieldable base against which the tread 4 operates. Under light loads the springs 18 force the tread a downwardly to approximately the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. thus facilitating the turning of the tractor. 7

A suitable truck body 19 is positioned on the tractor.

Having described'my invention, I claim:

1. A tractor comprising a main frame, track frames positioned on either side of said main frame, a drive sprocket and an idler sprocket journalled in said track frames, a track encircling said drive sprocket and said idler sprocket, said track being formed of a plurality of links, rollers journalled in said links, a ring formed on each roller, and supporting shoes secured to said track frames against which said track is adapted to bear, said shoe extending to approximately the center line of said sprockets, said shoes being split longitudinally, said rings being adapted to ride in the split.

2. A tractor comprising a main frame, a track frame positioned at each side of the main frame, a plurality of sprocket wheels .journaled in said track frames, tracks e111 journaled in each of said links, a ring formed at the midsection of each of said rollers supporting shoes secured to said track frames to bear against said rollers, said shoes terminating adjacent the vertical diameters of said sprocket Wheels, said shoes being split longitudinally to receive said rings, and springs interposed hotween said track frames and said supporting shoes.

In testimony whereof I affix my sigmw ture.

JOHN K. WICK. 

